honolulujoe
Well-Known Member
steel was better iirc, my s1 chassis is in better shape than my s3 chassis but it has a plate under the drivers seat area, one dumb iron has been replaced and possibly a rear spring hanger.
up until a year or two ago you could still get new chassis for them so some of the "unplated" ones could have replaced chassis
up until a year or two ago you could still get new chassis for them so some of the "unplated" ones could have replaced chassis
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Very early S1 had galved chasssis. It was dropped after a short time, I think within the first year or so. They went to paint and a Waxoyl type substance sprayed inside.
I think you would be very lucky to find a galv one now, especially anything like a reasonable price.
honolulujoe
Well-Known Member
pity they didn't keep the galv'ing up, guess it reduced profit, surely wouldn.t have cost them much on that kind of scale?
Flossie
Well-Known Member
I remember reading an article , I think, in the 70s about series 1's and it stated that labour costs clearing galv from where they didn't want it was the reason.
I was only around 13yrs old but that's stuck in my memory for some reason.
I can't remember what I did yesterday now.
I was only around 13yrs old but that's stuck in my memory for some reason.
I can't remember what I did yesterday now.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
I remember reading an article , I think, in the 70s about series 1's and it stated that labour costs clearing galv from where they didn't want it was the reason.
I was only around 13yrs old but that's stuck in my memory for some reason.
I can't remember what I did yesterday now.
The reason Rover gave for discontinuing the galv chassis was that some were warping in production, because of the heat of the zinc dip.
Not seen that to be the case with such large rigid assemblies. Maybe with thin sheet steel.
My belief is that the real reason was simple.
Someone at Rover realised that making motor vehicles that last 50 years or more was not good business, because it is a long time until you sell another one.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
I think they did.
But nothing lasts for ever, which is why many owners put dintrol, waxoil, or oil inside their chassis.
Bobsticle
De Villes Advocaat
One of the large galvanisers in Manchester has stopped taking chassis due to warping issues. Making large jigs is not cost effective and they cant accept responsibility for ruined parts.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Thats inneresting. Not heard of it on chassis though I have on bulkheads.
All water under the bridge as far as the new chassis are concerned. Long gone!
Stretch
Well-Known Member
I've been reading up on series 2 history in the James Taylor book. "He" says that the series 2 chassis started out as being flat plate steel and was then welded together to make the box shape (page 25). I assume that the series 1 chassis was made in a similar way.
From 1971 the chassis were made from two "C" sections that were then welded top and bottom. I remember another source (can't remember who it was - sorry) was saying that these "series 3" chassis were made of thinner steel.
This makes me think that you got thicker steel on the series 1 and 2 chassis frames.
I doubt very much, however, that there are many "never been welded" series chassis frames out there. I reckon it is more likely with the rising values of series 1 Land Rovers in the last ten years they have been more sympathetically repaired and so it is harder to see if they have been welded. I certainly wouldn't be taking my pride and joy down the trading estate to see Barry "who can make it stick" with his MIG...
From 1971 the chassis were made from two "C" sections that were then welded top and bottom. I remember another source (can't remember who it was - sorry) was saying that these "series 3" chassis were made of thinner steel.
This makes me think that you got thicker steel on the series 1 and 2 chassis frames.
I doubt very much, however, that there are many "never been welded" series chassis frames out there. I reckon it is more likely with the rising values of series 1 Land Rovers in the last ten years they have been more sympathetically repaired and so it is harder to see if they have been welded. I certainly wouldn't be taking my pride and joy down the trading estate to see Barry "who can make it stick" with his MIG...
Turboman
Mab An Gov
I dont know about metal thickness, that may be better too on S1.
But I do think metal quality went down steadily over the years.
Chassis on the 2 S1s whose owners I know are pretty solid. Metal quality on both my 2As was good, series 3 a little less.
90 chassis is similar condition to my mates S1, which is almost forty years older.
I see 5 year old defenders, pretty bad surface rust all over the rear chassis already!
Guess thats progress!
Stretch
Well-Known Member
Dreadful isn't it?
I get really fed up with automotive advice guru's who have the attitude "well it is older than 5 years old so now you're skating on thin ice". They might be right (especially if you've been daft enough to buy something made by the French) but this "acceptance of the facts" just makes the manufacturers cut more corners.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Throwaway society, innit!
Stretch
Well-Known Member
Yep - I remember when men were men - sheep were scared - cars were built to last (just like the Dolomite!) - footballers shook hands (!) - and all this was fields...
